A Kansas City, Missouri woman pleaded guilty on Mar. 9 to federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering after receiving two Paycheck Protection Program loans totaling $426,600 under false pretenses.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address fraudulent activity related to pandemic relief programs. The Paycheck Protection Program was created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to help small businesses affected by the economic impact of COVID-19.
Ashli Forbes, 40, admitted in court that she submitted false applications and documents for PPP loans for her companies, Forbes Realty Company LLC and Left Lane Motors LLC. According to court records, Forbes claimed inflated payroll figures and provided fabricated tax documents as part of her applications. For example, she reported an average monthly payroll of $82,519 for Forbes Realty Company LLC and submitted payroll records listing $240,000 in Medicare wages for 2019; however, her tax return showed no income from the company that year. She also did not file a tax return in 2020.
Forbes received a $206,200 PPP loan for Forbes Realty Company LLC in May 2020 and a $220,400 loan for Left Lane Motors LLC in June 2020. The application for Left Lane Motors included forms that were never filed with the Internal Revenue Service. In January 2021, Forbes transferred $20,000 from one of the accounts to pay an insurance bill using funds obtained through fraud.
As part of her plea agreement, Forbes admitted involvement in fraudulent PPP loans for four additional companies totaling over $1.36 million. She faces up to 30 years in federal prison without parole; sentencing will be determined by the court based on guidelines and statutory factors.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri supports community outreach and prevention programs aimed at addressing issues like violent crime and drug trafficking according to the official website. The office has locations in Kansas City, Jefferson City and Springfield according to the official website, is affiliated with the U.S. Department of Justice according to the official website, handles federal prosecutions across 66 counties according to the official website, covers a jurisdiction stretching from Iowa to Arkansas borders according to the official website, and collaborates with various law enforcement partners according to the official website.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker is prosecuting this case following investigations by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and Kansas City Police Department.
